Internal clearance adjustment method when mounting a tapered roller bearing
The two single row tapered roller bearings are usually arranged in a configuration opposite each other and the clearance is adjusted in the axial direction. There are two types of opposite placement methods: back-to-back arrangement (DB arrangement) and face-to-face arrangement (DF arrangement).
The clearance adjustment of the back-to-back arrangement is performed by tightening the
inner ring by a shaft nut or a shaft end bolt.an example using a shaft end bolt is shown. In this case, it is necessary that the fit of the tightening side inner ring with the shaft be a loose fit to allow displacement of the inner ring in the axial direction.
For the face-to-face arrangement, a shim is inserted between the cover, which retains the outer ring in the axial direction, and the housing in order to allow adjustment to the specified axial clearance . In this case, it is necessary to use a loose fit between the tightening side of the outer ring and the housing in order to allow appropriate displacement of the outer ring in the axial direction. When the structure is designed to install the outer ring into the retaining cover , the above measure becomes unnecessary and both mounting and dismounting become easy.
Theoretically when the bearing clearance is slightly negative during operation, the fatigue life becomes the longest, but if the negative clearance becomes much bigger, then the fatigue life becomes very short and heat generation quickly increases. Thus, it is generally arranged that the clearance be slightly positive (a little bigger than zero) while operating. In consideration of the clearance reduction caused by temperature difference of inner and outer rings during operation and difference of thermal expansion of the shaft and housing in the axial direction, the bearing clearance after mounting should be decided.
In practice, the clearance C1 or C2 is frequently adopted which is listed in “Radial internal clearances in double-row and combined
tapered roller bearing (cylindrical bore)” of Rolling Bearing
Tapered roller bearings, which are used for head spindles of machine tools, automotive final reduction gears, etc., are set to a negative clearance for the purpose of obtaining bearing rigidity. Such a method is called a preload method. There are two different modes of preloading: position preload and constant pressure preload. The position preload is used most often.
For the position preload, there are two methods: one method is to use an already adjusted arrangement of bearings and the other method is to apply the specified preload by tightening an adjustment nut or using an adjustment shim.
The constant pressure preload is a method to apply an appropriate preload to the bearing by means of spring or hydraulic pressure, etc. Next we introduce several examples that use these methods:
For pinion gears, the preload is adjusted by use of an inner ring spacer and shim. For large gears on the other hand, the preload is controlled by tightening the torque of the outer ring retaining screw.
This is an example of a preload application by tightening the inner ring in the axial direction with a shaft nut. In this case, the preload is controlled by measuring the starting friction moment of the bearing.